Don’t you love two-sided fabrics? They give us instant coordinating fabrics! When my client Anna Brannen brought this wonderful piece of cotton/wool to me, we knew we had to incorporate both sides into the garment. We decided on a jacket, McCalls M7665.
MORE SEWING FOR FROCKTAILS
Here’s more about that outfit I wore to Frocktails, the Portland, Oregon, event that brings together sewists to show off their skills and exchange Instagram handles. In this photo I’m with Andrea (@duchessofcloth), in pink, and Peggy Mead from @sewhouse7, a Portland indie pattern company. I will share with you a few things I learned making this jacket.
TWO LOOKS FROM A BASIC PANT PATTERN
Using our McCall’s pattern M6901, I recently made two pairs of pants that look totally different from each other.
McCall’s 6901 is the Palmer/Pletsch pant pattern that we use in teaching Pant Fit and Sewing workshops. It has narrow legs. I’ve made it as a dressier trouser using a washable rayon, polyester, and spandex fabric called Downtown, from Telio. It molds and drapes beautifully.
The Classic (or Boyfriend) Blazer
I had so much fun sewing this jacket, McCall’s Palmer/Pletsch M7818. It had been a long time since I’d made a blazer jacket and I’ve missed sewing one. This classic style is back in fashion now. For the newest look, wear it with a tee.
Thinking Creatively About My Sewing Space
The past year plus has proved challenging when it comes to finding places to sew. As I mentioned in a previous blog, my husband and I sold our house of 30 years last year, June 2018, and I gave up an enormous sewing studio.
Summer Workshop Wrap-up
July in Portland, Oregon, is a major workshop month at Palmer/Pletsch. The Fitting Fashion Patterns 4-day workshop and our Sewing Camp 5-day workshop were held in Lake Oswego at Montavilla Sewing Center, using the back of the store and a classroom for sewing and lectures. We were also able to sew on any serger or sewing machine that was on the floor, with help from the friendly and knowledgeable staff.
A Sweater Knit Vest for Cool Summer Evenings
McCall’s Palmer/Pletsch M7695 Vest/Jacket — While many of us around the country are wishing for cool summer evenings, the time we’re spending indoors where it is, hopefully, comfortably cool, creates an opportunity to sew this vest to wear when they finally return.
When a Blouse Can Be a Jacket
Sewing McCall’s 7760 Retro Drape Front Blouse & Jacket I was amazed to find I had a coordinating group of purple fabrics in my stash—a jersey knit, a 3-ply silk, and a poly/rayon/spandex bottom weight for pants. This Melissa Watson blouse pattern, McCall’s Palmer/Pletsch M7760, can also be a drapey jacket (jersey knit) …
Taking a Favorite Pattern to a New Season
McCall’s Palmer/Pletsch M7092 Empire-Waist Top for Knits McCall’s Palmer/Pletsch M7092 is one of my favorite tops. It is very flattering. The contrast inset adds interest by framing the face, or it can be made in the same fabric as the body of the top. The original croquie shows all the front options and the …
Easy & Fun Shirt or Artist’s Smock
McCall’s Palmer/Pletsch Pattern M7842 – Creative Shirt Mix colors and fabrics to show your creative genius with McCall’s Palmer/Pletsch pattern M7842. Mix solid colors with prints. Mix quality quilting cottons from entire collections designed to go together. For a softer drape, use woven rayon fabrics in both solids and prints. I love this shirt!